Abu Dhabi-based food and agriculture technology company Silal has appointed Dhafer Al Qasimi as the Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. 

In his new role, Dhafer brings over 18 years of leadership experience across the food, agriculture, culture, and tourism sectors. He joins Silal from ADQ, a sovereign investor focused on critical infrastructure and global supply chains, where he served as Director, overseeing companies within the Food & Agriculture cluster. “Since Silal is part of ADQ’s portfolio, he is already familiar with the business and brings extensive experience in leading high-impact projects of national importance across the food value chain. His expertise includes strengthening supply chain resilience, optimizing resource allocation, and leveraging innovation to drive sustainable practices and boost local food production in the UAE’s agri-food sector,” the company stated in the official announcement. 

In his previous roles, Dhafer has worked with Elite Agro as the Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority as the Commercial and Operations Director, Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre as the Director of Planning and Development, and Department of Culture and Tourism as the Events Planning Executive. He began his career with Emirates Identity Authority in 2007. 

He succeeds Salmeen Al Ameri, who has been appointed Agthia Group's Managing Director and CEO. Over the past three years, Salmeen led Silal’s growth and strategic expansion, strengthening its market position and supply chain. During his tenure, Silal made key acquisitions, including a major stake in SAFCO, Al Bakrawe Holding, and Sherwood, significantly enhancing its sourcing network and operations. Additionally, he led the development of the Silal Innovation Oasis, a cutting-edge R&D hub in Al Ain focused on advancing food technology and sustainability. He also oversaw the creation of the UAE’s largest automated produce packhouse, strengthening the nation’s agri-food infrastructure and improving production efficiency.

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Outgoing CEO Salmeen said, “As I prepare to embark on my next chapter, I reflect with pride on Silal’s achievements in recent years. Through strategic acquisitions and key partnerships, the company has substantially expanded its operational capacity to meet the growing demand for high-quality food products in the UAE. Additionally, the initiatives we have championed have fostered innovation within the sector and supported the sustainable growth of local farms. With Dhafer at the helm, I am confident that he will build on our successes, leading Silal into its next phase of growth with vision and dedication.”

Dhafer added, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with delivering the vision for Silal to become a catalyst for change in the food and agriculture industry, building on its reputation for innovation and operational excellence. Through its commitment to state-of-the-art solutions and empowering farmers, Silal is well-positioned to contribute to strengthening the self-sufficiency of the UAE by ensuring a steady and stable supply of food. Building on the strong foundation laid by Salmeen, I look forward to collaborating closely with our leadership, management, employees and partners to continue Silal’s growth journey and expand its international reach.”